I don’t know what it is, but some of the national guys just can’t seem to pin down the Tennessee Titans. For years, people mocked cornerbacks to the team, which is fine, until…y’know….they didn’t need a cornerback in the first round. I wouldn’t have been surprised at all to see, “the Titans need some youth to start opposite Cortland Finnegan” in 2017. You still see some of that in 2019 (Greedy Williams), but it’s not as prevalent as it was in the past.
Now, I’ve seen multiple mocks slotting tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Titans.
The reasoning for this makes sense in an odd, vague way. People see the Titans as lacking a dynamic option on offense. The unit is supposedly void of play-makers, so the way the dominoes fall, Hockenseon seems like a value at #19.
But, I’m reminded of a Mike Keith quote from when he appeared on The Midday 180 last week – something along the lines of, “you can look at the radar in Portland and say it’s raining, but are you really there? Do you really know what it feels like?” I’m paraphrasing awfully, but you get the gist. Like, I want to give credit where credit’s due, but ‘Portland’ is really the only thing I remember from that quote for sure. Nonetheless, it’s a fair point, and I think it applies here.
It certainly feels like that’s what some of these guys are doing. “It’s raining!” Okay, well….how much? Is it more rain than we’re used to? Should I plan to leave for work early?
I’ve gone too far with the meteorology metaphor.
If you want to say, “well the Titans just need ‘mismatch guys’ and Hockenson (or Noah Fant if he lasts that long) is that guy, and there’s no WR worth taking at #19″ then I’ll listen. Send me your resumé. But, if you’re blatantly saying “the Titans need a TE because Delanie Walker is old,” then you don’t really understand the situation.
Namely, there are plenty other immediate needs for the Titans on defense – pass rush help, defensive line depth, and maybe safety if they can’t reach an agreement with Kenny Vaccaro. On offense, the team needs a shot in the arm at receiver, BOTH a veteran free agent and some speed in the draft. Taking a tight end at #19 doesn’t fill any of those needs (unless you’re drafting the next Rob Gronkowski, who would definitely qualify as ‘a shot in the arm’ (also, see the scenario above in which I’ll listen to the idea that the Titans should take a TE at #19)).
Secondly, Walker has been one of the elite tight ends in the NFL consistently when healthy. He has an established relationship with Marcus Mariota – he’s practically Ocho’s security blanket. Plus, he’s due $6.3M this season. Walker’s set, and the team has plenty invested in him. Of course, this is all assuming he returns to form after missing 2018 due to injury. Still, do you invest #19 in a tight end knowing they’re going to sit for a bit and be a role player? I don’t think so – you want immediate game-changers with your first round pick!
Finally, this notion seems to be ignoring the plan for Jonnu Smith and his development. He was drafted to be somewhat of a ‘Delanie Walker Jr.’ and before he went down with an injury, you started to see flashes of that. No, he didn’t come out guns-a-blazin’ right away, but you could see the potential. I can’t help but wonder what he would’ve done if he had stayed healthy. Bottom line – there’s a clear lineage at tight end. That’s why I think the Titans brass would be less inclined to go TE, when they already have one of the best tight ends in the NFL, a lot of resources invested in the position, and a succession plan in place.
All this said, let me know what I’m missing, y’all. If you’re one of the guys mocking TE to the Titans, change my mind.
More 2019 NFL Draft Coverage
I Can Get On Board With The ‘Jachai Polite To The Titans’ Talk
Nashville Announces Schedule And Venue For The 2019 NFL Draft
Quinnen Williams Explains Why He Should Be The Top Pick In The Draft And I Don’t Disagree
The Arizona Cardinals Can’t Really Be Thinking About Taking Kyler Murray At #1, Right?
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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